August 29, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 15, 1428

KHAR, Aug 28: The political administration and the elders here have agreed to continue negotiations with militants in the Bajaur Agency to wipe out militancy from the tribal area. Officials said the elders were likely to strike a deal with the militants on Sept 6.

A decision regarding the talks was taken at a jirga on Tuesday which was attended by Political Agent Shafeerullah Khan, other senior officials and some 200 elders representing various tribes of the area.

Prominent tribal elder Malik Abdul Aziz Khan told jirga members that militants had denounced terrorism and disassociated themselves from all acts of sabotage occurring in the area, including killing of government officials and attacks on government installations.

He said that militants had also assured the elders that they would honour all agreements signed with them and the local administration.

According to Malik Aziz, the militants had asked the government to provide proofs regarding their involvement in terrorist activities in the area and suggested that the administration take suitable steps for security of its checkposts.

“Law enforcement agencies should shoot at sight any person found targeting government installations,” Malik Aziz quoted militants as saying.

He, however, said that the militants had reservations about some of the posts in the agency which were manned by paramilitary personnel. He said they also demanded the release of their supporters.

Mr Shafeerullah told jirga members that the government would show maximum restraint and resolve all issues through negotiations.

He said that paramilitary forces and Levies personnel had been deployed at checkposts for the safety of the people.